The Greek ship HS Aegean took over from the HS Adrias on Tuesday 2 February as the flagship of the EUNAVFORMed Irini operation, whose primary task is to enforce the UN arms embargo against Libya.
In 111 days at sea, the HS Adrias made 88 ‘hailings’, six friendly approaches and one boarding.
In total, since the launch of its activities at sea on 4 May 2020, the mission has made contact with more than 1,700 merchant ships (‘hailings’), carried out 66 friendly approaches, six inspections to verify their cargo and one seizure of a merchant ship for breaching the arms embargo.
The operation also monitored activities in 16 Libyan ports and oil installations. Irini controlled 25 airports and runways and over 155 flights to and from Libya. In total, the operation submitted 18 special reports to the UN Panel of Experts on Libya concerning violations or possible violations of UN Security Council resolutions on the arms embargo and on the prevention of oil smuggling.
Despite these results, in a 25 January report copied to EUROPE, the EU Council’s Politico-Military Group (PMG) expressed concern about the lack of resources for the operation. It currently has two ships (one Greek and one Italian), including the flagship, and six aircraft (French, Luxembourg, Italian, German, Polish and Greek).
The Group therefore recalls the importance of all Member States contributing both maritime and air assets and personnel, and providing actionable intelligence to ensure that the mandate of the operation can be effectively implemented (see EUROPE 12622/12).
The PMG also stresses the importance of good cooperation between NATO’s Irini and Sea Guardian operations. The conclusion of an administrative arrangement between Irini and NATO’s Maritime Command would thus ensure consistency and efficiency through effective information sharing.
Moreover, according to the EU Council experts, the European External Action Service (EEAS) should continue its engagement with the Libyan authorities in order to conclude “as soon as possible and when conditions permit” the necessary arrangement with the Libyan coastguard and navy to resume their training (see EUROPE 12610/23).
The Group also requests that the operation’s information and communication strategy be adapted as soon as possible, in particular to address disinformation and negative perceptions of the operation. It is notably seen as biased.
Finally, the PMG considers that the EU and Member States should complement the efforts of the operation with a better strategic and targeted use of sanctions against persons and entities involved in the violation of the arms embargo, taking into account the reports and evidence of Operation Irini based on information obtained by satellite, air and naval means. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)